श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराणमाहात्म्यम् अथ षष्ठ: अध्याय: कुमारा ऊचु - Kumaraas said - अथ ते सम्प्रवक्ष्याम: सप्ताहश्रवणे विधिम् ।
सहायैर्वसुभिश्चैव प्राय: साध्यो विधि: स्मृत: ॥१॥
अथ ते सम्प्रवक्ष्याम: now to you we will tell
सप्ताह-श्रवणे विधिम् in the seven day hearing, procedure सहायै:-वसुभि:-च-एव with helpers and also wealth प्राय: साध्य: विधि: स्मृत: often, observable procedure, is said to be Now, we will tell you the procedure by which the seven day discourse is to be conducted. Generally, it is said that this procedure is conducted by the help of associates and wealth.


दैवज्ञं तु समाहूय मुहूर्त्तं पृच्छ्य यत्नत: ।
विवाहे यादृशं वित्तं तादृशं परिकल्पयेत् ॥२॥
दैवज्ञम् तु समाहूय an astrologer surely respectfully calling over
मुहूर्त्तम् पृच्छ्य यत्नत: auspicious time enquiring, with effort विवाहे यादृशम् वित्तम् in a wedding, as much wealth तादृशम् परिकल्पयेत् that much should have For the seven days discourse to conduct, first, an should be respectfully called over, and with effort ask him for the proper time and date. Then as much of wealth that is required for a wedding, should be kept handy..


नभस्य आश्विनोर्जौ च मार्गशीर्ष: शुचिर्नभा: ।
एते मासा: कथारम्भे श्रोतृणाम् मोक्षसूचका: ॥३॥
नभस्य: आश्विन-ऊर्जौ च Bhaadrapada, Aashwin and Kaartik
मार्गशीर्ष: शुचि:-नभा: Maargashirsha, Aasaadha and Shraavana एते मासा: कथा-आरम्भे these months, for the discourse commencing श्रोतृणाम् मोक्ष-सूचका: for the listeners, (are) Moksha bringing Bhaadrapada, Aashwin and Kaartik, Maargashirsha, Aasaadha and Shraavana, these months are to be chosen to commence a discourse of Bhaagavatam, as this draws moksha for the listeners.


मासानां विप्र हेयानि तानि त्याज्यानि सर्वथा ।
सहायाश्चेतरे तत्र कर्तव्या: सोद्यमाश्च ये ॥४॥
मासानाम् विप्र हेयानि of the months, O Naarada! not good
तानि त्याज्यानि सर्वथा they discarded altogether सहाया:-च-इतरे तत्र and associate others, there कर्तव्या: स-उद्यमा:-च ये should be taken, who are industrious O Naarada! The months which are not good, should be avoided altogether. In this endeavour of seven days Bhaagavata, other people who are industrious should only be chosen as associates.


देशे देशे तथा सेयं वार्ता प्रेष्या प्रयत्नत: ।
भविष्यति कथा चात्र आगन्तव्यं कुटुम्बिभि: ॥५॥
देशे देशे तथा to every place and
सा-इयम् वार्ता that this message प्रेष्या प्रयत्नत: should be sent clearly भविष्यति कथा च-अत्र is to take place, an exposition, and here आगन्तव्यम् कुटुम्बिभि: should come with family members Moreover, a clear message should be sent to every place, that an exposition of Bhaagavata is to take place here, so everyone should come with their family.


दूरेहरिकथा: केचिद् दूरेचाच्युतकीर्तना: ।
स्त्रिय: शूद्रादयो ये च तेषां बोधो यतो भवेत् ॥६॥
दूरे-हरि-कथा: केचिद् away from Hari's stories, some (are)
दूरे-च अच्युत-कीर्तना: and far are (from) Krishna's (names) chanting स्त्रिय: शूद्र-आदय: ये च women low cast people, and those (such) तेषाम् बोध: यत: भवेत् to them known, so that becomes So that, those who are away from Hari's stories, and those who are away from chanting Krishna's names, women and people of low cast, to all such people it becomes known.


देशे देशे विरक्ता ये वैष्णवा: कीर्तनोत्सुका: ।
तेष्वेव पत्रं प्रेष्यं च तल्लेखनमितीरितम् ॥७॥
देशे देशे विरक्ता: ये in every place, renounced those (who are)
वैष्णवा: कीर्तन-उत्सुका: devotees of Vishnu, and in chanting eager तेषु-एव पत्रम् प्रेष्यम् च to them also, letter should be sent तत्-लेखनम्-इति-ईरितम् there the message, this is said In every place, where there are those who are renounced, those who are devotees of Vishnu, those who are eager to chant Hari's names, to them also letters should be sent, with this message, it is said,…


सतां समाजो भविता सप्तरात्रं सुदुर्लभ: ।
अपूर्वरसरूपैव कथा चात्र भविष्यति ॥८॥
सताम् समाज: भविता of pious men congregation is due
सप्त-रात्रम् सुदुर्लभ: for seven nights, rare अपूर्व-रस-रूपा-एव unprecedented nectar charm also कथा च-अत्र भविष्यति exposition and here, will take place A rare congregation of pious men is due here for seven nights. And an exposition of Bhaagavata full of unprecedented nectarine charm will also take place here.


श्रीभागवतपीयूषपानाय रसलम्पटा: ।
भवन्तश्च तथा शीघ्रमायात प्रेमतत्परा: ॥९॥
श्रीभागवत-पीयूष-पानाय Bhaagavatam's nectar to drink
रस-लम्पटा: भवन्त:-च nectar greedy you and तथा शीघ्रम्-आयात and soon come, प्रेम-तत्परा: of loving disposition You, who are of a loving disposition and always greedy to drink the nectar of Bhaagavata, are requested to come soon.


नावकाश: कदाचिच्चेद्दिनमात्रं तथापि तु ।
सर्वथाऽऽगमनं कार्यं क्षणोऽत्रैव सुदुर्लभ: ॥१०॥
न-अवकाश: कदाचित्-चेत्- not chance, at all if is
दिन-मात्रम् तथा-अपि तु a day at least, then also indeed सर्वथा-आगमनम् कार्यम् altogether, to come must do क्षण:-अत्र-एव सुदुर्लभ: an instant here also, is difficult to get If there is no chance at all, then also you must try and come even for one day. An instant also to be here is difficult to get.


एवमाकारणं तेषां कर्तव्यं विनयेन च ।
आगन्तुकानां सर्वेषां वासस्थानानि कल्पयेत् ॥११॥
एवम्-आकारणम् तेषाम् in this way invitation to them
कर्तव्यम् विनयेन should be given and with humbleness च आगन्तुकानाम् for those who are coming सर्वेषाम् वास-स्थानानि for them all, living place कल्पयेत् should be provided In this manner invitation should be given to everyone politely, and living place should be provided for all those who are coming.


तीर्थे वापि वने वापि गृहे वा श्रवणं मतम् ।
विशाला वसुधा यत्र कर्तव्यं तत् कथास्थलम् ॥१२॥
तीर्थे वा-अपि in a pilgrimage place or even
वने वा-अपि in wood lands even गृहे वा श्रवणम् मतम् in (ones) house also, to hear is recommended विशाला वसुधा यत्र big stretch of land where is कर्तव्यम् तत् should make that कथा-स्थलम् exposition site In a place of pilgrimage, or even in woodlands, or in ones' house, the hearing to this is recommended. Where there is a spacious stretch of land, that place should be selected as the exposition site.


शोधनं मार्जनं भूमेर्लेपनं धातुमण्डनम् ।
गृहोपस्करमुद्धृत्य गृहकोणे निवेशयेत् ॥१३॥
शोधनम् मार्जनम् repairing, cleaning
भूमे:-लेपनम् floor's smearing (with cow dung) धातु-मण्डनम् and with minerals decorated गृह-उपस्करम्- household articles उद्धृत्य गृहकोणे taking and in the corner of the house निवेशयेत् should be kept The floor of the house should be repaired, swept and cleaned and smeared with cow dung. It should be then decorated with articles of different minerals. The household articles should be removed to a corner of the house.


अर्वाक्पञ्चाहतो यत्नादास्तीर्णानि प्रमेलयेत् ।
कर्तव्यो मण्डप: प्रोच्चै: कदलीखण्डमण्डित: ॥१४॥
अर्वाक्-पञ्च-अहत: in advance, five days
यत्नात्-आस्तीर्णानि प्रमेलयेत् zealously, bed-spreads get together कर्तव्य: मण्डप: प्रोच्चै: should be made, a dais high कदली-खण्ड-मण्डित: with banana stalks decorated Five days in advance, enthusiastically, bed spreads etc., should be put together. A high dais decorated with banana stalks should be erected.


फलपुष्पदलैर्विष्वग्वितानेन विराजित: ।
चतुर्दिक्षु ध्वजारोपो बहुसम्पद्विराजित: ॥१५॥
फल-पुष्प-दलै:- fruits, flowers and leaves
विष्वक्-वितानेन from all sides the awning विराजित: चतु:-दिक्षु decorated on all four sides ध्वजा-रोप: flags be planted बहु-सम्पद्-विराजित: with many valuables decorated The awning of the dais should be decorated with fruits flowers and leaves. On all the four sides flags should be planted and it should be decorated with many valuables.


ऊर्ध्वं सप्तैव लोकाश्च कल्पनीया: सविस्तरम् ।
तेषु विप्रा विरक्ताश्च स्थापनीया: प्रबोध्य च ॥१६॥
ऊर्ध्वं सप्त-एव लोका:-च in front (of the dais)seven seating spaces and
कल्पनीया: सविस्तरम् should be made properly तेषु विप्रा: विरक्ता:-च in them Braahmanas and dispassionate people स्थापनीया: प्रबोध्य च should be seated, with persuasion In front of the dais a place with seven seats should be properly made. There, the Braahmanas and non-attached people should be seated with persuasion.


पूर्वं तेषामासनानि कर्तव्यानि यथोत्तरम् ।
वक्तुश्चापि तदा दिव्यमासनं परिकल्पयेत् ॥१७॥
पूर्वम् तेषाम्- first for them
आसनानि कर्तव्यानि seats should be prepared यथा-उत्तरम् as one after the other वक्तु:-च-अपि तदा and of the exponent also then दिव्यम्-आसनम् of high quality seat परिकल्पयेत् should prepare First of all, for the Braahmanas and dispassionate people, seats should be prepared, consecutively. And then a seat of high quality should also be prepared for the exponent of Bhaagavatam.


उदङ्मुखो भवेद्वक्ता श्रोता वै प्राङ्मुखस्तदा ।
प्राङ्मुखश्चेद्भवेद्वक्ता श्रोता चोदङ्मुखस्तदा ॥१८॥
उदङ्-मुख: भवेत्-वक्ता towards north facing, should be exponent
श्रोता वै प्राङ्-मुख:-तदा listener should be east facing then प्राङ्-मुख:-चेत्-भवेत्-वक्ता east facing, if is exponent श्रोता च-उदङ्-मुख:-तदा listener be and north facing then If the exponent is seated facing north, then the chief listener should sit facing east. And if the exponent is seated facing the east, than the chief listener should sit facing north.


अथवा पूर्वदिग्ज्ञेया पूज्यपूजकमध्यत: ।
श्रोतृणामागमे प्रोक्ता देशकालादिकोविदै: ॥१९॥
अथवा पूर्व-दिक्-ज्ञेया or east direction is known
पूज्य-पूजक-मध्यत: (for) worshipped and worshipper's, in between श्रोतृणाम्-आगमे प्रोक्ता as, for the listeners' rules laid down देश-काल-आदि-कोविदै: place and time etc., knowledge holders Or, east is the direction known to be the one between the worshipful exponent and the listener. This is according to the rules laid down by the experts in the knowledge of place and time.


विरक्तो वैष्णवो विप्रो वेदशास्त्रविशुद्धिकृत् ।
दृष्टान्तकुशलो धीरो वक्ता कार्योऽतिनि:स्पृह: ॥२०॥
विरक्त: वैष्णव: विप्र: dispassionate, devotee of Vishnu, a Braahmana
वेद-शास्त्र-विशुद्धि-कृत् Vedas and scriptures, exposition doer दृष्टान्त-कुशल: धीर: वक्ता in examples expert, a discerning orator कार्य:-अति नि:स्पृह: should be selected, very unattached A dispassionate Braahmana, who is a devotee of Vishnu, who can explain the Vedas and scriptures, is an expert in giving illustrations, is discerning, and unattached, such an orator should be selected.


अनेकधर्मविभ्रान्ता: स्त्रैणा: पाखण्डवादिन: ।
शुकशास्त्रकथोच्चारे त्याज्यास्ते यदि पण्डिता: ॥२१॥
अनेक-धर्म-विभ्रान्ता: by many religions confused
स्त्रैणा: पाखण्ड-वादिन: fond of women, heresies preachers शुक-शास्त्र-कथा-उच्चारे for Shuka's Shaastra (Bhaagavata) story oration त्याज्या:-ते यदि पण्डिता: avoidable they, even if learned Those, who are confused with many principles of different religions, who are fond of women, who preach heresies, should be avoided as a candidate for the exposition of Shuka's Shaastra, the Bhaagavatam, even if they are learned.


वक्तु: पार्श्वे सहायार्थमन्य: स्थाप्यस्तथाविध: ।
पण्डित: संशयच्छेत्ता लोकबोधनतत्पर: ॥२२॥
वक्तु: पार्श्वे near the exponent
सहाय-अर्थम्-अन्य: for help another स्थाप्य:-तथा-विध: should be placed, of same calibre पण्डित: संशय-छेत्ता learned person, doubts remover लोक-बोधन तत्पर: in public's enlightening eager By the side of the exponent, to help him, another learned person of the same calibre should be made to sit, who is interested in removing the doubts of people, and eager to enlighten them.


वक्त्रा क्षौरं प्रकर्तव्यं दिनादर्वाग्व्रताप्तये ।
अरुणोदयेऽसौ निर्वर्त्य शौचं स्नानं समाचरेत् ॥२३॥
वक्त्रा by the exponent
क्षौरम् प्रकर्तव्यम् shaving of head should be done well दिनात्-अर्वाक्- from that day before व्रत-आप्तये to take the oath अरुण-उदये at day break असौ निर्वर्त्य he should complete शौचम् स्नानम् toilet and bathing समाचरेत् should do Before the day of commencing of the exposition, the prospective exponent should have his head and face well shaved, before taking the oath of expounding. At day break then, he should complete his activities of toilet and take a bath.


नित्यं संक्षेपत: कृत्वा सन्ध्याद्यं स्वं प्रयत्नत: ।
कथाविघ्नविघाताय गणनाथं प्रपूजयेत् ॥२४॥
नित्यम् संक्षेपत: कृत्वा every day in short, after doing
सन्ध्या-आद्यम् स्वम् Sandhyaa and other prayers, of own प्रयत्नत: कथा-विघ्न-विघाताय zealously, for in the story obstacles to ward off गणनाथम् प्रपूजयेत् Ganesh should worship Everyday, after doing his own Sandhyaa and worship, in short, he should zealously worship Ganesh to ward off any obstacles in the way of the Bhaagavata exposition.


पितृन् संतर्प्य शुद्ध्यर्थम् प्रायश्चित्तं समाचरेत् ।
मण्डलं च प्रकर्तव्यं तत्र स्थाप्यो हरिस्तथा ॥२५॥
पितृन् संतर्प्य manes gratifying with water oblation,
शुद्धि-अर्थम् for purification purpose प्रायश्चित्तम् समाचरेत् atonement should perform मण्डलम् च प्रकर्तव्यम् a mystical diagram and should be made (to invoke deities) तत्र स्थाप्य: हरि:-तथा there, should be placed Hari then The manes should be appeased with oblation of water. Then for self purification, atonement should be performed. The mystical diagram used for invoking the deities should be made. There in Hari should be placed.


कृष्णमुद्दिश्य मन्त्रेण चरेत्पूजाविधिं क्रमात् ।
प्रदक्षिणनमस्कारान् पूजान्ते स्तुतिमाचरेत् ॥२६॥
कृष्णम्-उद्दिश्य मन्त्रेण Krishna towards by mantras (chanting)
चरेत्-पूजा-विधिम् क्रमात् perform worship systematically, consecutively प्रदक्षिण-नमस्कारान् circumambulator, bow down with folded hands पूजा-अन्ते स्तुतिम्-आचरेत् at the end of the worship, praises sing One must perform worship systematically towards Krishna by chanting mantras, then consecutively circumambulation, then bowing down with folded hands, and at the end of the worship sing Krishna's praises.


संसार सागरे मग्नं दीनं मां करुणानिधे ।
कर्ममोहगृहीताङ्गं मामुद्धर भवार्णवात् ॥२७॥
संसार सागरे मग्नम् in mundane (material) ocean, submerged
दीनम् माम् करुणानिधे wretched me, O repository of compassion! कर्म-मोह-गृहीत-अङ्गम् by action and infatuation caught physically माम्-उद्धर भव-अर्णवात् me rescue, from worldly ocean O Thou repository of compassion! Rescue the wretched me, submerged in the mundane material ocean, and physically caught in action and infatuation, from this worldly ocean.


श्रीमद्भागवतस्यापि तत: पूजा प्रयत्नत: ।
कर्तव्या विधिना प्रीत्या धूपदीपसमन्विता ॥२८॥
श्रीमद्भागवतस्य-अपि and of Bhaagavata (book) also
तत: पूजा प्रयत्नत: then, worship carefully कर्तव्या विधिना प्रीत्या should be done, systematically, lovingly धूप-दीप-समन्विता with incense and light, togather Thereafter worship should be systematically, carefully and lovingly performed togather with incense and light, of a copy of the Bhaagavatam book.


ततस्तु श्रीफलं धृत्वा नमस्कारं समाचरेत् ।
स्तुति: प्रसन्नचित्तेन कर्तव्या केवलं तदा ॥२९॥
तत:-तु श्रीफलम् धृत्वा after that then, coconut holding
नमस्कारम् समाचरेत् pranaam (bowing down) should do स्तुति: प्रसन्न-चित्तेन prayer with cheerful mind कर्तव्या केवलम् तदा should be done only then After that then, holding a coconut in hand, should do namaskaar, bowing down, only then, with a cheerful mind prayer should be done.


श्रीमद्भागवताख्योऽयं प्रत्यक्ष: कृष्ण एव हि ।
स्वीकृतोऽसि मया नाथ मुक्त्यर्थं भवसागरे ॥३०॥
श्रीमद्भागवत-आख्य:-अयम् Shrimad Bhaagavata, named this
प्रत्यक्ष: कृष्ण एव हि manifest Krishna Himself only स्वीकृत:-असि मया नाथ sought are (Thou), by me O Lord! मुक्ति-अर्थम् भवसागरे liberation for in mundane ocean This, by the name of Shrimad Bhaagavata, is Krishna manifest Himself. O Lord! In this mundane worldly ocean, I have sought Thee to rescue me.


मनोरथो मदीयोऽयं सफल: सर्वथा त्वया ।
निर्विघ्नेनैव कर्तव्यो दासोऽहं तव केशव ॥३१॥
मनोरथ: मदीय:-अयम् aspiration mine this
सफल: सर्वथा त्वया successful altogether by Thee निर्विघ्नेन-एव कर्तव्य: without any impediment, may be done दास:-अहम् तव केशव servant I am Thine, O Keshava! O Keshava! This aspiration of mine may be successfully fulfilled by Thee, without any impediments as I am Thy servant.


एवं दीनवच: प्रोच्य वक्तारं चाथ पूजयेत् ।
सम्भूष्य वस्त्रभूषाभि: पूजान्ते तं च संस्तवेत् ॥३२॥
एवं दीनवच: प्रोच्य such humble words saying
वक्तारम् च-अथ पूजयेत् the orator, and then should worship सम्भूष्य वस्त्र-भूषाभि: adorning (him) with clothes and jewels पूजा-अन्ते worship after तम् च संस्तवेत् and him praise (him with hymns) After worshipping Krishna in the form of Bhaagavata, and saying such humble words, then one should worship the exponent. First he should be adorned with clothes and jewels and then hymns in his praise should be sung.


शुकरूप प्रबोधज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद ।
एतत्कथाप्रकाशेन मदज्ञानं विनाशय ॥३३॥
शुक-रूप प्रबोधज्ञ O Shuka incarnate! expert in enlightening
सर्व-शास्त्र विशारद in all scriptures well-versed एतत्-कथा प्रकाशेन this story by revealing मत्-अज्ञानम् विनाशय my ignorance eradicate O Shuka incarnate! You who are an expert in enlightening others, you who are well versed in all the scriptures, by revealing this story, kindly eradicate my ignorance.


तदग्रे नियम: पश्चात्कर्तव्य: श्रेयसे मुदा ।
सप्तरात्रं यथाशक्त्या धारणीय: स एव हि ॥३४॥
तत्-अग्रे नियम: in his presence vow
पश्चात्-कर्तव्य: then should be taken श्रेयसे मुदा for ones benefit happily सप्त-रात्रम् for seven nights यथा-शक्त्या to the best of ability धारणीय: should be followed स: एव हि that only surely In the presence of the exponent then, for ones benefit a vow should be happily taken for seven nights, which should be surely adhered to only, to the best of ones ability.


वरणं पञ्चविप्राणां कथाभङ्गनिवृत्तये ।
कर्तव्यं तैर्हरेर्जाप्यं द्वादशाक्षरविद्यया ॥३५॥
वरणम् पञ्च-विप्राणाम् should engage five Brahmans
कथा-भङ्ग-निवृत्तये for story interruption averting कर्तव्यम् तै: हरे:-जाप्यम् should be done by them, Hari's chanting द्वादश-अक्षर-विद्यया twelve syllabled mantra (Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya) Five Brahmans should be engaged to chant the five syllabled mantra, wiz, Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya, for averting interruption during the story, if any.


ब्राह्मणान् वैष्णवांश्चान्यांस्तथा कीर्तनकारिण: ।
नत्वा सम्पूज्य दत्ताज्ञ: स्वयमासनमाविशेत् ॥३६॥
ब्राह्मणान् वैष्णवान्- Braahmanas, Vishnu's devotees
च-अन्यान्-तथा and others also कीर्तन-कारिण: who sing praises नत्वा सम्पूज्य bowing to them and worshipping them दत्त-आज्ञ: taking (their) permission स्वयम्-आसनम्-आविशेत् oneself on seat be seated One should bow to the Brahmans, Vishnu's devotees and others who sing Hari's praise and chant His name, and worship them. Then with their permission, should be seated on his own seat.


लोकवित्तधनागारपुत्रचिन्तां व्युदस्य च ।
कथाचित्त: शुद्धमति: स लभेत्फलमुत्तमम् ॥३७॥
लोक-वित्त-धन-आगार- of the world, wealth, money, house
पुत्र-चिन्ताम् व्युदस्य च children's concern giving up and कथा-चित्त: शुद्ध-मति: in the story concentrating, pure minded स लभेत्-फल-उत्तमम् he achieves result superb The person who hears the story with full concentration and with a pure mind, giving up all thought of the world, wealth, money, house and children, he achieves the best result.


आसूर्योदयमारभ्य सार्धत्रिप्रहरान्तकम् ।
वाचनीया कथा सम्यग्धीरकण्ठं सुधीमता ॥३८॥
आसूर्य-उदयम्-आरभ्य from sunrise, starting
सार्ध-त्रि-प्रहर-अन्तकम् with half, three prahar (three hours) until वाचनीया कथा सम्यक्- should expound the story properly धीर-कण्ठम् सुधीमता in a steady voice, by the intelligent (exponent) Starting from sunrise, until three and a half prahar (one prahar is three hours), that is, for nine and half hours the intelligent exponent should expound the story in a steady moderate tone.


कथाविराम: कर्तव्यो मध्याह्ने घटिकाद्वयम् ।
तत्कथामनु कार्यं वै कीर्तनं वैष्णवैस्तदा ॥३९॥
कथा-विराम: कर्तव्य: the story pause, should be done
मध्य-अह्ने घटिका-द्वयम् at mid-day, hours two तत्-कथाम्-अनुकार्यम् वै that stories (pause) after, should be done surely कीर्तनं वैष्णवै:-तदा chanting by Vishnu devotees then In the story, there should be a pause at mid-day, for two hours. During this pause time, and after the story, Vishnu devotees should chant Hari's names.


मलमूत्रजयार्थं हि लघ्वाहार: सुखावह: ।
हविष्यान्नेन कर्तव्यो ह्येकवारं कथार्थिना ॥४०॥
मल-मूत्र-जय-अर्थम् हि faeces, urine to control, purpose only
लघु-आहार: सुखावह: small (amount of) diet, is happiness bringing हविष्य-अन्नेन कर्तव्य: by ghee cooked food, should be done हि-एक-वारम् कथा-अर्थिना only one time, by story interested (people) To control the urge of easing the bowels and bladder, small amount of food intake brings happiness. It is suggested that food cooked in ghee should be eaten only, one time in a day, by those interested in the story.


उपोष्य सप्तरात्रं वै शक्तिश्चेच्छृणुयात्तदा ।
घृतपानं पय:पानं कृत्वा वै शृणुयात्सुखम् ॥४१॥
उपोष्य सप्तरात्रम् वै fasting for seven nights indeed
शक्ति:-चेत्-शृणुयात्-तदा stamina if is, may hear then घृतपानम् पय:पानम् (or) by having ghee, and having milk कृत्वा वै शृणुयात्-सुखम् doing also, may hear easily If one has the stamina, for seven days and nights fasting should be done, to hear the exposition. Or one can also take ghee and milk and hear comfortably.


फलाहारेण वा भाव्यमेकभुक्तेन वा पुन: ।
सुखसाध्यं भवेद्यत्तु कर्तव्यं श्रवणाय तत् ॥४२॥
फल-आहारेण वा भाव्यम- fruits eating or may live on
एक-भुक्तेन वा पुन: one time eating or again सुख-साध्यम् भवेत्-यत्-तु easily undertaken, may be which, that only कर्तव्यम् श्रवणाय तत् should be done, to hear that To hear that exposition, one may live on only eating fruits, or even eat at one time only. Whatever is convenient to undertake that only should be done.


भोजनं तु वरं मन्ये कथाश्रवणकारकम् ।
नोपवासो वर: प्रोक्त: कथाविघ्नकरो यदि ॥४३॥
भोजनम् तु वरम् मन्ये meal taking certainly is better I believe
कथा-श्रवण कारकम् in the exposition hearing is helpful न-उपवास: वर: प्रोक्त: (and) not fasting is better, said to be कथा-विघ्न-कर: यदि exposition (hearing) hampers if I believe, taking meals is better if it helps in hearing the exposition. Whereas, fasting is not recommended if it hampers the hearing of the exposition.


सप्ताहव्रतिनां पुंसां नियमाञ्छृणु नारद ।
विष्णुदीक्षाविहीनानां नाधिकार: कथाश्रवे ॥४४॥
सप्ताह व्रतिनाम् पुंसाम् seven days vow taking peoples'
नियमान्-शृणु नारद rules listen to, O Naarada! विष्णु-दीक्षा विहीनानाम् in Vishnu's (worship) initiation bereft people न-अधिकार: कथा-श्रवे have no right to hearing the exposition O Naarada! Listen to the rules, for people who have taken the seven days vow of hearing the exposition. Those who have not taken initiation into the worship of Vishnu, are not eligible to hearing it.


ब्रह्मचर्यमध:सुप्ति: पत्रावल्यां च भोजनम् ।
कथासमाप्तौ भुक्तिं च कुर्यान्नित्यं कथाव्रती ॥४५॥
ब्रह्मचर्यम्-अध:-सुप्ति: continence, on floor sleeping
पत्रावल्याम् च भोजनम् in leaf plates and eating कथा-समाप्तौ भुक्तिम् च on story pause and eating कुर्यात्-नित्यम् कथा-व्रती should do daily, to hear vowed A person who has taken a vow to hear the full exposition, should, every day, maintain continence, sleep on the floor, eat off plates made of leaves, and should eat only after the pause, of the exposition.


द्विदलं मधु तैलं च गरिष्ठान्नं तथैव च ।
भावदुष्टं पर्युषितं जह्यान्नित्यं कथाव्रती ॥४६॥
द्विदलम् मधु तैलम् च pulses, honey oil and
गरिष्ठ-अन्नम् तथा-एव च heavy food, such only and भावदुष्टम् पर्युषितम् by association evil, stale जह्यात्-नित्यम् कथा-व्रती avoid every day, hearing vowed A person who has taken the vow of hearing the exposition should, every day, avoid eating pulses, honey, oil and heavy food. And also such food that has been associated with evil, and food that is stale.


कामं क्रोधं मदं मानं मत्सरं लोभमेव च ।
दम्भं मोहं तथा द्वेषं दूरयेच्च कथाव्रती ॥४७॥
कामम् क्रोधम् मदम् desire, anger, pride,
मानम् मत्सरम् लोभम्- seeking honour, jealously, greed एव च दम्भम् मोहम् also and hypocrisy, infatuation तथा द्वेषम् दूरयेत्-च and enimosity expel and कथा-व्रती story vowed A person who has vowed to hear the story, should expel his desires, anger, pride, seeking of honour, jealousy, greed, and also hypocrisy, infatuation and enimosity.


वेदवैष्णवविप्राणां गुरुगोव्रतिनां तथा ।
स्त्रीराजमहतां निन्दां वर्जयेद्य: कथाव्रती ॥४८॥
वेद-वैष्णव-विप्राणाम् Vedas, Vishnu devotees, Braahmanas
गुरु-गो-व्रतिनाम् तथा teacher, cow, vow takers and स्त्री-राज-महताम् निन्दाम् women, king, great people, rebuke वर्जयेत्-य: कथा-व्रती should avoid, he who is vowed for the story A person who has taken the vow to hear the story of Bhaagavatam, should avoid to rebuke Vedas, Vishnu devotees, Braahmanas, teachers, cow, people who have taken a vow, and also women, king, and great people.


रजस्वलान्त्यजम्लेच्छपतितव्रात्यकैस्तदा ।
द्विजद्विड्वेदबाह्यैश्च न वदेद्य: कथाव्रती ॥४९॥
रजस्वला- to, a women in menstruation
अन्त्यज-म्लेच्छ- a person of lowest cast, beef eater, पतित-व्रात्यकै:-तदा a sinner, one who does not follow religion, then द्विज-द्विड्- to a Brahman enemy, वेद-बाह्यै:-च to those who are outside of Vedic rules, न वदेत्-य: should not speak, the one who कथा-व्रती is story vowed Then, the one who has vowed to hear the story, should not speak to a woman in menstruation, a person of a low cast, a beef eater, a sinner, one who has slipped from religion, one who detests Braahmanas, and one who is not under the canopy of the Vedas.


सत्यं शौचं दयां मौनमार्जवं विनयं तथा ।
उदारमानसं तद्वदेवं कुर्यात्कथाव्रती ॥५०॥
सत्यम् शौचम् दयाम् truthfulness, purity, compassion,
मौनम्-आर्जवम् विनयम् तथा silence, simplicity, humbleness and उदार-मानसम् big heartedness तत्-वत्-एवम् कुर्यात्- that like-wise only should practice कथा-व्रती a story vowed One who has taken a vow towards the exposition, should practice, truthfulness, purity, compassion, silence, simplicity, humbleness, and likewise also, big heartedness.


दरिद्रश्च क्षयी रोगी निर्भाग्य: पापकर्मवान् ।
अनपत्यो मोक्षकाम: शृणुयाच्च कथामिमाम् ॥५१॥
दरिद्र:-च क्षयी रोगी pauper, and weak person, diseased,
निर्भाग्य: पाप-कर्मवान् a wretch, sinful deeds doer, अनपत्य: मोक्षकाम: issueless person, liberation desiring person शृणुयात्-च कथाम्-इमाम् should listen to and story this A person who is a pauper, a weak person, an ailing person, a wretch, a doer of sinful deeds, an issueless person, a person desiring liberation, should hear the exposition of this story.


अपुष्पा काकवन्ध्या च वन्ध्या या च मृतार्भका ।
स्रवद्गर्भा च या नारी तया श्राव्या प्रयत्नत: ॥५२॥
अपुष्पा (a woman) bereft of menstruation
काकवन्ध्या च and (one) with only one child वन्ध्या या च a barren (woman) मृत-अर्भका (one) whose children die स्रवद्गर्भा च या (who) miscarries and who नारी तया by (such) women श्राव्या प्रयत्नत: should be heard with effort A woman who is devoid of menstruation, and one with only one child, a barren woman, one whose children die, and one who miscarries, such women should keenly hear the story of Bhaagavatam.


एतेषु विधिना श्रावे तदक्षयतरं भवेत् ।
अत्युत्तमा कथा दिव्या कोटियज्ञफलप्रदा ॥५३॥
एतेषु विधिना श्रावे in these, proper systems' hearing
तत्-अक्षयतरम् भवेत् that undiminishable will be अति-उत्तमा कथा दिव्या this highly superb, story divine कोटि-यज्ञ-फल-प्रदा tens of millions of Yagya' result giving When this superb and divine story is made to be heard by these (the above mentioned) people, with proper system, it yields undiminishable results equal to tens of millions of Yagya.


एवं कृत्वा व्रतविधिमुद्यापनमथाचरेत् ।
जन्माष्टमीव्रतमिव कर्तव्यं फलकाङ्क्षिभि: ॥५४॥
एवम् कृत्वा व्रत-विधिम्- thus doing the vow's conduct,
उद्यापनम्-अथ-आचरेत् the concluding rites then should perform जन्माष्टमी-व्रतम्-इव Janamaashtami fast like कर्तव्यम् फल-काङ्क्षिभि should be done, by those who desire results Thus performing the prescribed conduct of the vow, then, the concluding rites should be performed. A fast, like the fast of Janamaashtami should be undertaken by those who desire results.


अकिंचनेषु भक्तेषु प्रायो नोद्यापनाग्रह: ।
श्रवणेनैव पूतास्ते निष्कामा वैष्णवा यत: ॥५५॥
अकिंचनेषु भक्तेषु प्राय: (for) destitute devotees, usually
न-उद्यापन-आग्रह: not concluding rites are necessary श्रवणेन-एव पूता:-ते by hearing only, purified are they निष्कामा: वैष्णवा: यत: detached are Vishnu devotees because For destitute devotees, performing of the concluding rites is not necessary, because, by hearing the exposition only, the detached Vishnu devotees are purified.


एवं नगाहयज्ञेऽस्मिन् समाप्ते श्रोतृभिस्तदा ।
पुस्तकस्य च वक्तुश्च पूजा कार्यातिभक्तित: ॥५६॥
एवम् नगाह-यज्ञे- thus seven days Yagya
अस्मिन् समाप्ते this ending श्रोतृभि:-तदा पुस्तकस्य by the listeners then, of the book च वक्तु:-च पूजा कार्या- and of the speaker also, worship should be done अति-भक्तित: with due devotion And when this seven days Yagya is to end, then the listeners should with great devotion worship the book of Bhaagavata and the speaker.


प्रसादतुलसीमाला श्रोतृभ्यश्चाथ दीयताम् ।
मृदङ्गतालललितं कर्तव्यं कीर्तनं तत: ॥५७॥
प्रसाद-तुलसी-माला sweet offerings, Tulasi garland
श्रोतृभ्य:-च-अथ दीयताम् to the listeners and then should be given मृदङ्ग-ताल-ललितम् with drum's beats sweet कर्तव्यम् कीर्तनम् तत: should do chanting afterwards And then, the residue of the sweet offerings to the Lord, and Tulasi garlands should be given to the listeners. Thereafter, with the beats of the drums, chanting of the Lord's glories should be done sweetly.


जयशब्दं नम: शब्दं शङ्खशब्दं च कारयेत् ।
विप्रेभ्यो याचकेभ्यश्च वित्तमन्नं च दीयताम् ॥५८॥
जय-शब्दम् नम: शब्दम् sounds of triumph, shouts of greetings
शङ्ख-शब्दम् च कारयेत् sounds of conch shells, and should be done विप्रेभ्य: याचकेभ्य:-च for the Braahmanas and for the seekers वित्तम्-अन्नम् च दीयताम् money and food should be given Sounds of triumph, shouts of greetings, sounds of conch shells should be made to do. Money and food should be given to Braahmanas and seekers.


विरक्तश्चेद्भवेच्छ्रोता गीता वाच्या परेऽहनि ।
गृहस्थश्चेत्तदा होम: कर्तव्य: कर्मशान्तये ॥५९॥
विरक्त:-चेत्-भवेत्-श्रोता renounced (person) if becomes the listener
गीता वाच्या परे-अहनि Geeta should be read next day गृहस्थ:-चेत्-तदा होम: कर्तव्य: householder, if (he) is, then Homa should be done कर्म-शान्तये for deeds to nullify If a renounced person becomes the chief listener, Geeta should be read the next day. If it is a householder, Homa, sacrifices into the fire, should be done to nullify sinful deeds.


प्रतिश्लोकं तु जुहुयाद्विधिना दशमस्य च ।
पायसं मधु सर्पिश्च तिलान्नादिकसंयुतम् ॥६०॥
प्रति-श्लोकम् तु (with) every shloka surely
जुहुयात्-विधिना consign to the fire systematically दशमस्य च the tenth (chapter) and पायसम् मधु सर्पि:-च pudding, honey, ghee and तिल-अन्न-आदिक-संयुतम् till, grain etc., mixed With the utterance of every shloka of the tenth chapter, to the fire must be consigned systematically, pudding (made of milk rice and sugar) honey, ghee, till, grains etc., mixed together.


अथवा हवनं कुर्याद्गायत्र्या सुसमाहित: ।
तन्मयत्वात्पुराणस्य परमस्य च तत्त्वत: ॥६१॥
अथवा हवनम् कुर्यात्- alternatively, Havana may do
गायत्र्या सुसमाहित: with Gaayatri, with concentration तत्-मयत्वात्-पुराणस्य (Gaayatri) being same as the Puraan (Bhaagavata) परमस्य च तत्त्वत: of the great and in essence Alternatively, a Havana may be performed by the chief listener, with the chanting of the Gaayatri Mantra, with full concentration. This is so because the great Puraan Bhaagavata, in essence is the same as Gaayatri Mantra.


होमाशक्तौ बुधो हौम्यं दद्यात्तत्फलसिद्धये ।
नानाच्छिद्रनिरोधार्थं न्यूनताधिकतानयो: ॥६२॥
होम-अशक्तौ बुध: to do Homa unable, the wise,
हौम्यम् दद्यात्- fit for Homa (things) should give (to Braahmanas) फल-सिद्धये to achieve the result नाना-छिद्र- various short comings निरोध-अर्थम् covering up purpose न्यूनता-अधिकता-अनयो: less or more of the two If the chief listener is unable to perform the Homa, he should be wise to give away the things used for Homa, to the Braahmanas, to achieve its results. This is also to compensate for the various shortcomings, of less or more, of the two.


दोषयो: प्रशमार्थं च पठेन्नामसहस्रकम् ।
तेन स्यात्सफलं सर्वं नास्त्यस्मादधिकं यत: ॥६३॥
दोषयो: प्रशम-अर्थम् च of these two faults, correction purpose and
पठेत्-नामसहस्रकम् chant should, (Vishnu) Sahasranaama तेन स्यात्-सफलम् सर्वम् by that will be successful everything न-अस्ति-अस्मात्-अधिकम् यत: not is there from this, more effective, because For the correction purpose of these faults, Vishnu Sahasranaama should be chanted, because there is nothing more effective than this for the success of everything.


द्वादश ब्राह्मणान् पश्चाद्भोजयेन्मधुपायसै: ।
दद्यात्सुवर्णं धेनुं च व्रतपूर्णत्वहेतवे ॥६४॥
द्वादश ब्राह्मणान् पश्चात्- twelve Braahmanas, after that,
भोजयेत्-मधु-पायसै: may feed with sweets and pudding (kheer) दद्यात्-सुवर्णम् धेनुम् च and may then give gold and cow व्रत-पूर्णत्व हेतवे for the completion of the vow, purpose Thereafter, twelve Braahmanas should be fed with sweets and kheer, a pudding prepared with milk rice and sugar. For the purpose of completion of the vow, gold and cow also should be given away.


शक्तौ पलत्रयमितं स्वर्णसिंहं विधाय च ।
तत्रास्य पुस्तकं स्थाप्यं लिखितं ललिताक्षरम् ॥६५॥
शक्तौ पल-त्रय-मितम् if in capacity, in tolas three measures
स्वर्ण-सिंहम् विधाय च of gold seat, having made and तत्र-अस्य पुस्तकम् there, of this book (copy) स्थाप्यम् लिखितम् should be put, written in ललित-अक्षरम् beautiful letters If it is in the capacity of the chief listener, he should get a seat made of gold, three tolas, in measure. On that a book of Bhaagavata, written in beautiful letters should be placed.


सम्पूज्यावाहनाद्यैस्तदुपचारै: सदक्षिणम् ।
वस्त्रभूषणगन्धाद्यै: पूजिताय यतात्मने ॥६६॥
सम्पूज्य-आवाहन-आद्यै:- after worshipping,
तत्-उपचारै: सदक्षिणम् that (book) by materials, along with money वस्त्र-भूषण-गन्ध-आद्यै: clothes, ornaments, sandal paste etc., (should give) पूजिताय यत-आत्मने for the worshipful, self controlled (expositor) Invoking the deity ensouling the book, he should worship it, and along with money, clothes, ornaments and sandal paste, should give it to the self controlled worshipful expositor.


आचार्याय सुधीर्दत्वा मुक्त: स्याद्भवबन्धनै: ।
एवं कृते विधानं च सर्वपापनिवारणे ॥६७॥
आचार्याय सुधी:-दत्वा to the expositor, the wise person having given
मुक्त: स्यात्-भव-बन्धनै: liberated becomes, from worldly entanglements एवम् कृते विधानं च thus doing systematically and सर्व-पाप-निवारणे all sins are removed The wise person who has given to the expositor in this manner, is liberated from worldly entanglements. This hearing done systematically, removes all sins.


फलदं स्यात् पुराणं तु श्रीमद्भागवतं शुभम् ।
धर्मकामार्थमोक्षाणां साधनं स्यान्न संशय: ॥६८॥
फलदम् स्यात् पुराणम् तु may be, Puraana this
श्रीमद्भागवतम् शुभम् Shrimad Bhaagavatam, meritorious धर्म-काम-अर्थ- religion, desires, possessions, मोक्षाणाम् साधनम् and liberation begetting, means स्यात्-न संशय: may be, no doubt This meritorious, fruit yielding Puraana of Shrimad Bhaagavatam may thus become, without a doubt, a means for begetting, religious merits, desires, wealth and even liberation.


कुमारा ऊचु - Kumaraas said - इति ते कथितं सर्वं किं भूय: श्रोतुमिच्छसि ।
श्रीमद्भावतेनैव भुक्ति मुक्ति करे स्थिते ॥६९॥
इति ते कथितम् सर्वम् this to you is said all
किम् भूय: श्रोतुम्-इच्छसि what more do you want to hear श्रीमद्भागवतेन-एव by Shrimad Bhaagavata only भुक्ति मुक्ति करे स्थिते worldly desires and liberation, both, in hands are placed All this has been told to you. What more do you want to hear? It is only by Shrimad Bhaagavata that worldly desires and liberation, both are placed in ones hand.


सूत उवाच - Soota said - इत्युक्त्वा ते महात्मान: प्रोचुर्भागवतीं कथाम् ।
सर्वपापहरां पुण्यां भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनीम् ॥७०॥
इति-उक्त्वा ते महात्मान: saying this, they the high souls
प्रोचु:-भागवतीम् कथाम् expounded the Bhaagavata story सर्व-पापहराम् पुण्याम् all sins eradicating, sacred भुक्ति-मुक्ति-प्रदायिनीम् enjoyment and liberation bestowing So saying, the exalted souls, Sanaka and brothers, expounded the sacred Bhaagavata story, which eradicates all sins and bestows enjoyments and liberation.


शृण्वतां सर्वभूतानां सप्ताहं नियतात्मनाम् ।
यथाविधि ततो देवं तुष्टुवु: पुरुषोत्तमम् ॥७१॥
शृण्वताम् सर्व-भूतानाम् hearing, (when) all living beings
सप्ताहम् नियत-आत्मनाम् the seven day, with concentrated minds यथा-विधि: तत: देवम् as per rules, then Lord तुष्टुवु: पुरुषोत्तमम् praises sang of Supreme Person When the seven day story, as per rules, was heard by all living beings, with concentrated minds, the Sanat Kumaraas, then, sang praises of The Lord, The Supreme Person.


तदन्ते ज्ञानवैराग्यभक्तीनां पुष्टता परा ।
तारुण्यं परमं चाभूत्सर्वभूतमनोहरम् ॥७२॥
तत्-अन्ते ज्ञान- of that, in the end, of Gyaan
वैराग्य-भक्तीनाम् Vairaagya and of Bhakti पुष्टता परा तारुण्यम् invigoration high youth परमम् चाभूत्- extreme and became सर्वभूत-मनोहरम् all beings, minds pleasing After that, in the end, Gyaan Vairaagya and Bhakti were highly invigorated and they achieved high class youth which pleased the minds of all living beings.


नारदश्च कृतार्थोऽभूत्सिद्धे स्वीये मनोरथे ।
पुलकीकृतसर्वाङ्ग: परमानन्दसम्भृत: ॥७३॥

नारद:-च कृतार्थ:-अभूत् Naarada and gratified became
सिद्धे स्वीये मनोरथे fulfilled was his own desire पुलकीकृत सर्व-अङ्ग: horripilation all over his body परम-आनन्द सम्भृत: supreme joy full of And Naarada was gratified as his own desire was fulfilled. There was horripilation all over his body and he was full of supreme joy.


एवं कथां समाकर्ण्य नारदो भगवत्प्रिय: ।
प्रेमगद्गदया वाचा तानुवाच कृताञ्जलि: ॥७४॥
एवम् कथाम् समाकर्ण्य thus the exposition, having heard
नारद: भगवत्-प्रिय: Naarada, Lord's beloved प्रेम-गद्-गदया वाचा with love choked voice तान्-उवाच कृत-अञ्जलि: to them said, with folded hands Lord's beloved Naarada, having thus heard the exposition, with joined palms and love choked voice said to them …


नारद उवाच - Naarada said - धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि भवद्भि: करुणापरै: ।
अद्य मे भगवाँल्लब्ध: सर्वपापहरो हरि: ॥७५॥
धन्य:-अस्मि- blessed am I
अनुगृहीत:-अस्मि obliged am I भवद्भि: करुणापरै: by you, full of compassion अद्य मे भगवान्-लब्ध: today for me, Lord is attained सर्व-पाप-हर: हरि: all sins dispeller, Shree Hari I am blessed and I am obliged by you who are full of compassion, because today I have attained Lord Shree Hari, the dispeller of all sins.


श्रवणं सर्वधर्मेभ्यो वरं मन्ये तपोधना: ।
वैकुण्ठस्थो यत: कृष्ण: श्रवणाद्यस्य लभ्यते ॥७६॥
श्रवणम् सर्व-धर्मेभ्य: hearing, of all righteous courses
वरम् मन्ये तपोधना: best I believe, O rich in austerities! वैकुण्ठस्थ: यत: कृष्ण: dwelling in Vaikuntha, because, Krishna श्रवणात्-अस्य लभ्यते by hearing this, is got I believe that hearing is the best of all the righteous courses, because, by hearing of this Bhaagavatam, Krishna, Who dwells in Vaikuntha, is attained.


सूत उवाच - Soota said - एवं ब्रुवति वै तत्र नारदे वैष्णवोत्तमे ।
परिभ्रमन् समायात: शुको योगेश्वरस्तदा ॥७७॥
एवम् ब्रुवति वै तत्र as was saying this , so there
नारदे वैष्णव-उत्तमे (when) Naarada the highest of Vishnu devotees परिभ्रमन् समायात: शुक: wandering came Shuka योगेश्वर:-तदा yoga master, then Just as the highest of Vishnu devotees, Naarada, was saying so, then, there came wandering about, Shuka the master of yoga.


तत्राययौ षोडशवार्षिकस्तदा व्यासात्मजो ज्ञानमहाब्धिचन्द्रमा: ।
कथावसाने निजलाभपूर्ण: प्रेम्णा पठन् भागवतं शनै: शनै: ॥७८॥
तत्र-आययौ षोडश-वार्षिक:- there came, sixteen years aged
तदा व्यास-आत्मज: then, Vyasa's son ज्ञान-महा-अब्धि-चन्द्रमा: knowledge's great ocean, moon कथा-अवसाने at the exposition's end निज-लाभ-पूर्ण: own worth full (realization full of) प्रेम्णा पठन् भागवतम् lovingly reciting Bhaagavata शनै: शनै: slowly At the end of the exposition, Vyasa's son, sixteen years of age, full of self realization, and a moon in the great ocean of knowledge, came there, lovingly and slowly reciting the Bhaagavatam.


दृष्ट्वा सदस्या: परमोरुतेजसं सद्य: समुत्थाय ददुर्महासनम् ।
प्रीत्या सुरर्षिस्तमपूजयत्सुखं स्थितोऽवदत्संशृणुतामलां गिरम् ॥७९॥
दृष्ट्वा सदस्या: seeing, members of that assembly
परम्-ऊरु-तेजसम् highly great splendorous (him) सद्य: समुत्थाय immediately standing ददु:-महा-आसनम् gave an exalted seat प्रीत्या सुरर्षि:- lovingly, the god's sage (Naarada) तम्-अपूजयत्-सुखम् him worshipped pleasingly स्थित:-अवदत्- being seated he (Shuka) said संशृणुत-अमलाम् गिरम् (please) listen to his pure speech As the members of that assemble saw the highly great splendorous him, they immediately got up and gave him an exalted seat. The honourable sage of the gods, Naarada, lovingly and pleasingly worshipped him. Shuka, when seated spoke thus. Please listen to his pure speech.


श्री शुक उवाच - Shree Shuka said - निगमकल्पतरोर्गलितं फलं शुकमुखादमृतद्रवसंयुतम् ।
पिबत भागवतं रसमालयं मुहुरहो रसिका भुवि भावुका: ॥८०॥
निगम-कल्प-तरो: of the Veda's wish yielding tree
गलितम् फलम् शुक-मुखात्- ripe fruit, from Shuka's (parrot's) mouth अमृत-द्रव-संयुतम् पिबत nectar decoction accompanied, drink भागवतम् रसम्-आलयम् Bhaagavatam, the juice house मुहु:-अहो रसिका: always O devotees! भुवि भावुका: on the earth, (you) knower of the essence O devotees! In this world, you having the knowledge of essence, do always drink, the juice of the juice house Bhaagavata, which is the ripened fruit of the wish yielding tree, and is enhanced with the decoction of the nectar of Shuka's (parrot's) mouth,


धर्म: प्रोज्झितकैतवोऽत्र परमो निर्मत्सराणां सताम्,
वेद्यं वास्तवमत्र वस्तु शिवदं तापत्रयोन्मूलनम् ।
श्रीमद्भागवते महामुनिकृते किं वा परैरीश्वर:
सद्यो हृद्यवरुध्यतेऽत्र कृतिभि: शुश्रूषुभिस्तत्क्षणात् ॥८१॥
धर्म: प्रोज्झित-कैतव:- religion, discarded of deception,
अत्र परम: here, supreme निर्मत्सराणाम् सताम् free from malice, the saints' वेद्यम् वास्तवम्- worth knowing reality अत्र वस्तु शिवदम् here substance meritorious ताप-त्रय-उन्मूलनम् three agonies uprooting श्रीमद्भागवते महा-मुनि-कृते in Shrimad Bhaagavata, by the great sage (Vyaas) done किम् वा परै:- of what use of other (religions), ईश्वर: सद्य: Lord, instantaneously हृदि-अवरुध्यते-अत्र कृतिभि: in the heart comes here, by blessed people शुश्रूषुभि:-तत्-क्षणात् keen to hear, from that moment Here, in Shrimad Bhaagavata, produced by the great sage Veda Vyaas, is the supreme religion, bereft of deception, worth knowing by the saints who are free of malice. The bliss bestowing absolute reality, which uproots the threefold agonies, is taught here, then what is the use of other religions. The Lord is instantly, at that very moment, captured in the hearts of the blessed who are keen to hear its exposition.


श्रीमद्भागवतं पुराणतिलकं यद्वैष्णवानां धनं
यस्मिन् पारमहंस्यमेवममलं ज्ञानं परं गीयते ।
यत्र ज्ञानविरागभक्तिसहितं नैष्कर्म्यमाविष्कृतम्
तच्छृण्वन् प्रपठन् विचारणपरो भक्त्या विमुच्येन्नर: ॥८२॥
श्रीमद्भागवतम् पुराण-तिलकम् Shrimad Bhaagavatam, of Puraanas the crown
यत्-वैष्णवानाम् धनम् which is of Vishnu devotee's wealth, यस्मिन् पारमहंस्यम्-एवम्- in which, (fit for) ascetics of high order, only अमलम् ज्ञानम् परम् गीयते pure knowledge supreme is expounded यत्र ज्ञान-विराग-भक्ति-सहितम् where Gyaan Viraag Bhakti accompanied नैष्कर्म्यम्-आविष्कृतम् action without desire, is explained तत्-शृण्वन् प्रपठन् that hearing, well reading विचारणपरो भक्त्या given to pondering over it, with devotion विमुच्येत्-नर: is liberated man Shrimad Bhaagavatam is the crown of all Puraanas, and is the wealth of Vishnu devotees. Here in, pure supreme knowledge is expounded fit for ascetics of high order (paramahansaas) only. In this, Gyaan Vairaagya and Bhakti, and actions without desire, are explained. That, by hearing and reading well, and by contemplating upon, through devotion, man is liberated.


स्वर्गे सत्ये च कैलासे वैकुण्ठे नास्त्ययं रस: ।
अत: पिबन्तु सद्भाग्या मामा मुञ्चत कर्हिचित् ॥८३॥
स्वर्गे सत्ये च in Swarga (loka) and Satya (loka)
कैलासे वैकुण्ठे in Kailaash, in Vaikuntha न-अस्ति-अयम् रस: not is this nectar अत: पिबन्तु सद्भाग्या therefore, do drink, O most fortunate Ones! मा मा मुञ्चत कर्हिचित् do not, do not give up, at all This sort of nectar in the shape of Bhaagavatam, does not exist in Swarga, paradise, in Satya loka, highest heaven - abode of Brahmaa, in Kailaash - abode of Lord Shiva, or in Vaikuntha - abode of Lord Vishnu. Therefore, O most Fortunate Ones! Do drink it. Do not, do not give it up at all.


सूत उवाच - Soota said - एवं ब्रुवाणे सति बादरायणौ मध्ये सभायां हरिराविरासीत् ।
प्रह्लादबल्युद्धवफाल्गुनादिभिर्वृत: सुरर्षिस्तमपूजयच्च तान् ॥८४॥
एवम् ब्रुवाणे सति बादरायणौ thus speaking as was, Shuka (Vyasa's son)
मध्ये सभायाम् हरि:-आविरासीत् in the midst of the assembly, The Lord appeared प्रह्लाद-बलि-उद्धव- Prahalaad, Bali, Uddhava, फाल्गुन-आदिभि: वृत: Arjun, and others with accompanied सुरर्षि:-तम्-अपूजयत्- Naarada Him worshipped च तान् and them As Vyasa's son, Shuka was saying so, in the midst of the assembly, Shree Hari appeared, accompanied by Prahalaad, Bali, Uddhava, Arjun and others. The sage of the gods, Naarada worshipped Him and them.


दृष्ट्वा प्रसन्नं महदासने हरिम् ते चक्रिरे कीर्तनमग्रतस्तदा ।
भवो भवान्या कमलासनस्तु तत्रागमत्कीर्तनदर्शनाय ॥८५॥
दृष्ट्वा प्रसन्नम् beholding pleased
महत्-आसने हरिम् on a high seat Hari ते चक्रिरे कीर्तनम्-अग्रत:- they started chanting in front तदा भव: भवान्या then, Shiva (with) Paarvati कमलासन:-तु तत्र-आगमत्- Brahmaa also there came कीर्तन-दर्शनाय the chanting to watch Beholding Shree Hari pleased and seated on a high seat, they started doing Keertan - chanting of the Lord's names and glories, in front of Him. Shiva came along with Paarvati and Brahmaa also came to watch the Keertan.


प्रह्लादस्तालधारी तरलगतितया चोद्धव: कांस्यधारी ,
वीणाधारी सुरर्षि: स्वरकुशलतया रागकर्तार्जुनोऽभूत् ।
इन्द्रोऽवादीन्मृदङ्गं जयजयसुकरा: कीर्तने ते कुमारा: ,
यत्राग्रे भाववक्ता सरसरचनया व्यासपुत्रो बभूव ॥८६॥
प्रह्लाद:-ताल-धारी Prahalaad 'Kara taal' took up
तरल-गतितया (because of his) swift gait च उद्धव: कांस्य-धारी and Uddhava became the 'jhaanjha' holder वीणा-धारी सुरर्षि: 'veenaa' bearing was Naarada स्वर-कुशलतया in (musical) notes being efficient राग-कर्ता-अर्जुन:अभूत् tune giver Arjun became इन्द्र:-अवादीत्-मृदङ्गम् Indra sounded the 'mridangam' जय-जय-सुकरा: कीर्तने hail and glory shouted well, in the Keertan ते कुमारा: यत्र-अग्रे those Kumaraas, where in front (of Hari) भाव-वक्ता सरस-रचनया emotion displaying, lucid compositions (presenting) व्यास-पुत्र: बभूव Vyasa's son Shuka became During that chanting which was taking place in front of Shree Hari, Prahalaad took up the 'Kara taal', because of his agility. Uddhava became the 'jhaanjha' striker. Naarada played on the 'veenaa'. Arjun being efficient in musical notes, gave the tunes. Indra, sounded the 'mridangam'. And those Sanat Kumara brothers interspersed the shouts of hail and glory, where as, Vyasa's son - Shuka displayed the emotions with lucid compositions.


ननर्त मध्ये त्रिकमेव तत्र भक्त्यादिकानां नटवत्सुतेजसाम् ।
अलौकिकं कीर्तनमेतदीक्ष्य हरि: प्रसन्नोऽपि वचोऽब्रवीत्तत् ॥८७॥
ननर्त मध्ये त्रिकमेव तत्र danced in the middle, the trio only there
भक्ति-आदिकानाम् Bhakti and others (Gyaan and Vairaagya) नट-वत-सुतेजसाम् actors like splendorous अलौकिकम् कीर्तनम्-एतत्-ईक्ष्य unworldly chanting this watching हरि: प्रसन्न:-अपि Hari pleased also वच:-अब्रवीत्-तत् words said that In the middle of the assembly, the trio - splendorous Bhakti Gyaan and Vairaagya danced as expert actors. Hari was also pleased to watch this unearthly chanting and spoke these words …


मत्तो वरं भाववृताद्वृणुध्वं प्रीत: कथाकीर्तनतोऽस्मि साम्प्रतम् ।
श्रुत्वेति तद्वाक्यमतिप्रसन्ना: प्रेमार्द्रचित्ता हरिमूचिरे ते ॥८८॥
मत्त: वरम् भाव-वृतात् from me, boon, emotionally overwhelmed
वृणुध्वम् प्रीत: कथा-कीर्तनत:- ask for (you all), gratified by the exposition and chanting अस्मि साम्प्रतम् am I just now श्रुत्वा-इति तत्-वाक्यम्- hearing this, that sentence अति-प्रसन्ना: प्रेम-आर्द्र-चित्ता: very happily with love overwhelmed minds हरिम्-ऊचिरे ते to Hari said they 'All of you may ask me for a boon as, just now I am emotionally overwhelmed and gratified by the exposition and the chanting. Hearing this sentence of Hari their hearts became soft with emotion and they said to Hari….


नगाहगाथासु च सर्वभक्तैरेभिस्त्वया भाव्यमिति प्रयत्नात् ।
मनोरथोऽयं परिपूरणीयस्तथेति चोक्त्वान्तरधीयताच्युत: ॥८९॥
नगाह-गाथासु during the seven day exposition
च सर्व-भक्तै: and with all the devotees एभि:-त्वया भाव्यम्- presence by Thee, should be, इति प्रयत्नात् this, with effort मनोरथ:-अयम् परिपूरणीय: wish this, should be fulfilled तथा-इति च-उक्त्वा- Be it so' this saying अन्तरधीयत-अच्युत: disappeared Hari (the imperishable) 'During all the seven days exposition of the story of Bhaagavatam, Thy presence should be there with all the devotees. This wish of ours should please be fulfilled by Thee, with effort.' "Be it so", saying, the imperishable Lord Hari disappeared.


ततोऽनमत्तच्चरणेषु नारदस्तथा शुकादीनपि तापसांश्च ।
अथ प्रहृष्टा: परिनष्टमोहा: सर्वे ययु: पीतकथामृतास्ते ॥९०॥
तत:-अनमत्-तत्-चरणेषु then bowed, at His foot prints
नारद: तथा शुकादीन्-अपि Naarada, and to Shuka and others also तापसान्-च अथ प्रहृष्टा: ascetics and then extremely delighted परिनष्ट-मोहा: सर्वे ययु: and dispelled delusion, all went away पीत-कथा-अमृता:-ते (having) drunk story nectar they Then Naarada bowed at Hari's foot prints and also to Shuka and other ascetics. Then, all of them, having drunk the Bhaagavata story nectar, and so with dispelled delusion, and with extreme delight, went away.


भक्ति: सुताभ्यां सह रक्षिता सा शास्त्रे स्वकीयेऽपि तदा शुकेन ।
अतो हरिर्भागवतस्य सेवनाच्चित्तं समायाति हि वैष्णवानाम् ॥९१॥
भक्ति: सुताभ्यां सह Bhakti, with both sons
रक्षिता सा शास्त्रे saved she was, in the Shaastra, स्वकीये-अपि तदा शुकेन his own, then by Shuka अत: हरि:-भागवतस्य सेवनात् therefore Hari, by Bhaagavata resorting to चित्तम् समायाति in the hearts comes हि वैष्णवानाम् indeed of Vishnu devotees' Shuka, then, in his own Shaastra, Bhaagavata, installed Bhakti along with her two sons, and thus saved her. This is why Hari occupies the place in the hearts of those devotees of Vishnu, who resort to Bhaagavatam.


दारिद्र्यदु:खज्वरदाहितानां मायापिशाचीपरिमर्दितानाम् ।
संसारसिन्धौ परिपातितानां क्षेमाय वै भागवतं प्रगर्जति ॥९२॥
दारिद्र्य-दु:ख-ज्वर-दाहितानाम् by poverty agony's fever are burning
माया-पिशाची-परिमर्दितानाम् by demoness Maya are trampled संसार-सिन्धौ-परिपातितानाम् in the world's ocean are hurled क्षेमाय वै for deliverance indeed भागवतम् प्रगर्जति Bhaagavatam proclaims loudly Those who are burning due to the fever of the agony of poverty, those who are trampled by the demoness Maya, and those who are hurled into the ocean of transmigration, Bhaagavatam loudly proclaims their deliverance.


शौनक उवाच - Shaunaka said - शुकेनोक्तं कदा राज्ञे गोकर्णेन कदा पुन: ।
सुरर्षये कदा ब्राह्मैश्छिन्धि मे संशयं त्विमम् ॥९३॥
शुकेन-उक्तम् कदा राज्ञे by Shuka was expounded, when for the king
गोकर्णेन कदा पुन: by Gokarna, when again सुरर्षये कदा ब्राह्मै:- for Naarada when, by Brahma's sons (Sanaka and brothers) छिन्धि मे संशयम् तु-इमम् remove my doubt certainly this When was Bhaagavatam expounded by Shuka for the benefit of the king (Pareekshit), when, again did Gokarna expound it, when was it expounded by the Sanat Kumaras, the sons of Brahmaa, for Naarada, please do remove this doubt of mine.


सूत उवाच - Soota said - आकृष्णनिर्गमात्त्रिंशद्वर्षाधिकगते कलौ ।
नवमीतो नभस्ये च कथारम्भं शुकोऽकरोत् ॥९४॥
आ-कृष्ण-निर्गमात्- from Krishna's departure,
त्रिंशत्-वर्ष-अधिक गते कलौ thirty years after, passed of Kali yuga नवमीत: नभस्ये च the ninth from, of Bhaadrapada and कथा-आरम्भम् शुक:-अकरोत् exposition start, Shuka did After Krishna's departure from the earth to His abode, and when thirty years of Kaliyuga had passed, from the ninth of the Bhaadrapada month, Shuka started the exposition of Bhaagavatam.


परीक्षिच्छ्रवणान्ते च कलौ वर्षशतद्वये ।
शुद्धे शुचौ नवम्यां च धेनुजोऽकथयत्कथाम् ॥९५॥
परीक्षित्-श्रवण-अन्ते Pareekshit hearing after
च कलौ वर्ष-शत-द्वये and in Kaliyuga, year two hundred शुद्धे शुचौ नवम्याम् च of the pure and bright half of Aasaadha, ninth and धेनुज:-अकथयत्-कथाम् born of a cow - Gokarna, expounded the story After Pareekshit had heard, and two hundred years of Kaliyug had passed, on the ninth of the pure and bright half of Aasaadha month, the cow born - Gokarna expounded the story.


तस्मादपि कलौ प्राप्ते त्रिंशद्वर्षगते सति ।
ऊचुरूर्जे सिते पक्षे नवम्यां ब्रह्मण: सुता: ॥९६॥
तस्मात्-अपि कलौ प्राप्ते from then also, of Kaliyuga having
त्रिंशत्-वर्ष गते सति thirty years passed away ऊचु:-ऊर्जे सिते पक्षे said in Kaartik month, in the bright fortnight नवम्याम् ब्रह्मण: सुता: on the ninth, Brahmaa's sons From there on, thirty more years of Kaliyuga having passed, on the ninth of the bright fortnight of the Kaartik month, Brahmaa's sons, the Sanat Kumaras expounded it.


इत्येतत्ते समाख्यातं यत्पृष्टोऽहं त्वयानघ ।
कलौ भागवती वार्ता भवरोगविनाशिनी ॥९७॥
इति-एतत्-ते समाख्यातम् thus this to you is clearly told
यत्-पृष्ट:-अहम् what was asked of me त्वया-अनघ by you O sinless One! कलौ भागवती वार्ता in Kaliyuga, Bhaagavatam's exposition is भव-रोग-विनाशिनी of worldly disease destroyer Thus, O sinless One! I have told you all that you had asked me to. In Kaliyuga, the exposition of Bhaagavata is the destroyer of all worldly diseases.


कृष्णप्रियं सकलकल्मषनाशनं च मुक्त्येकहेतुमिह भक्तिविलासकारि ।
सन्त: कथानकमिदं पिबतादरेण लोके हि तीर्थपरिशीलनसेवया किम् ॥९८॥
कृष्ण-प्रियम् Krishna's dear
सकल-कल्मष-नाशनम् च all sins eliminator and मुक्ति-एक-हेतुम्-इह of liberation one (and only) means, here भक्ति-विलास-कारि Bhakti enhancing agent सन्त: कथानकम्-इदम् O Pious souls! story this पिबत-आदरेण imbibing with respect लोके हि in people at all (serving) तीर्थ-परिशीलन सेवया and pilgrimage visiting किम् what (is the use) O Pious souls! This story which is so dear to Krishna, which eliminates all sins, which is the one and only means of getting liberation, which is a Bhakti enhancing agent, imbibe it with respect, what use is then of associating with worthy men or of visiting places of pilgrimage.


स्वपुरुषमपि वीक्ष्य पाशहस्तम् वदति यम: किल तस्य कर्णमूले ।
परिहर भगवत्कथासु मत्तान् प्रभुरहमन्यनृणां न वैष्णवानाम् ॥९९॥
स्व-पुरुषम्-अपि वीक्ष्य own man also seeing
पाश-हस्तम् वदति यम: noose in hand, says Yama किल तस्य कर्णमूले indeed in his ear closely परिहर भगवत्-कथासु मत्तान् leave alone, in Lord's story enraptured प्रभु:-अहम्-अन्य-नृणाम् master am I of other people न वैष्णवानाम् not of Vishnu devotees Yama, the god of death, tells his own people in their ears, when he sees them with noose in hand, to leave alone the people who are enraptured in hearing Lord's stories. As he is a master of other people and not of Vishnu devotees.


असारे संसारे विषयविषसङ्गाकुलधिय:
क्षणार्धं क्षेमार्थं पिबत शुकगाथातुलसुधाम् ।
किमर्थं व्यर्थं भो व्रजत कुपथे कुत्सितकथे
परीक्षित्साक्षी यच्छ्रवणगतमुक्त्युक्तिकथने ॥१००॥
असारे संसारे in this worthless world
विषय-विष-सङ्ग- by the poison like sense attachments आकुल-धिय: agitated minds क्षण-अर्धम् क्षेम-अर्थम् for half a moment, for your benefit पिबत शुक-गाथा- drink Shuka narrated story अतुल-सुधाम् the unparalleled nectar किम्-अर्थम् व्यर्थम् what for aimlessly भो व्रजत कुपथे O you wonder on a wrong path कुत्सित-कथे and in vicious talks (engrossed) परीक्षित्-साक्षी Pareekshit is witness यत्-श्रवण-गत that happening to hear it मुक्ति-उक्ति-कथने Mukti is (immanent) said as a statement O you! In this worthless world, attached with poison like senses, and so have agitated minds, for half a moment, for your benefit, why do you not drink the supreme nectar of the story related by Shuka? What for do you aimlessly wonder on wrong paths, engaged in vicious talks. Pareekshit is witness to the effect of the statement, 'Mukti follows in the event of Shrimad Bhaagavatam entering the ears'.


रसप्रवाहसंस्थेन श्रीशुकेनेरिता कथा ।
कण्ठे सम्बध्यते येन स वैकुण्ठप्रभुर्भवेत् ॥१०१॥
रस-प्रवाह-संस्थेन in the potion's flow immersed
श्रीशुकेन-ईरिता कथा of by Shri Shuka narrated story कण्ठे सम्बध्यते येन in (his own) voice gets enjoined by whom स वैकुण्ठ-प्रभु-भवेत् he of Vaikuntha master becomes He whose voice gets enjoined in the story narrated by Shree Shuka, who himself is immersed in its potion, becomes the master of Vaikuntha.


इति च परमगुह्यं सर्वसिद्धान्तसिद्धम्
सपदि निगदितं ते शास्त्रपुञ्जं विलोक्य ।
जगति शुककथातो निर्मलं नास्ति किञ्चित्
पिब परसुखहेतोर्द्वादशस्कन्धसारम् ॥१०२॥
इति च परमगुह्यम् and this highly secret
सर्व-सिद्धान्त-सिद्धम् all conclusions' substance सपदि निगदितम् ते just now told to you शास्त्र-पुञ्जम् विलोक्य जगति Shaastras' heaps after studying, in this world शुक-कथात: निर्मलम् Shuka narration, more pure न-अस्ति किञ्चित् not is there anything पिब पर-सुख-हेतो:- quaff for supreme bliss purpose द्वादश-स्कन्ध-सारम् the twelve Skandha's essence I have just now told to you, the highly secret and the substance of all conclusions, and after studying heaps of Shaastras, in this world there is nothing more pure than Shree Shuka's narration of the story of Shrimad Bhaagavatam. To enjoy the supreme bliss, do quaff the essence of the twelve Skandha's.


एतां यो नियततया शृणोति भक्त्या
यश्चैनां कथयति शुद्धवैष्णवाग्रे ।
तौ सम्यग्विधिकरणात्फलं लभेते
याथार्थ्यान्न हि भुवने किमप्यसाध्यम् ॥१०३॥
एताम् य: नियततया this (Bhaagavatam) who regularly
शृणोति भक्त्या, hears with devotion य:-च-एनाम् कथयति and (one) who this expounds शुद्ध-वैष्णव-अग्रे a pure hearted Vishnu devotee, in front of तौ सम्यक्-विधिकरणात्- both of them, by following the prescribed rules, फलम् लभेते result get याथार्थ्यात्-न हि भुवने in fact nothing indeed, in the world किम्-अपि-असाध्यम् what ever is impossible to achieve Who so ever hears with devotion, to the exposition of this Bhaagavata regularly, and who so ever gives its exposition in front of a pure hearted Vishnu devotee, both of them get the due results because of following the prescribed rules. In fact for them, there is nothing impossible to achieve in this world.


विप्रमोक्षोनाम् षष्ठ: अध्याय: ॥६॥
समाप्तमिदं श्रीमद्भागवतमाहात्म्यम् ॥
।। हरि: ऊं तत्सत् ॥
इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे उत्तरखण्डे श्रीमद्भागवतमाहात्म्ये ।।
Thus ends the sixth discourse entitled 'The detailed procedure of hearing of 'Shrimad Bhaagavata', forming part of the 'Glory of Shrimad Bhaagavata' comprised in the Uttar Khanda of the glorious Padma-Puraana.